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Salem, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026

During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Salem, Virginia had a total population of 25,618, the 45th largest city in Virginia, with a median household income of $66,725, which is 28% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.3%.

Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes

Salem Quick Facts

Population 25,618
Median Household Income $66,725
Median Home Value $258,600
Poverty Rate 10.3%
Unemployment Rate 3.6%
Median Age 40.0 years
Homeownership Rate 62.8%
Affordability Ratio 3.9x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 33.1%
High School Graduation Rate 94.2%
Diversity Index 32/100
Population 25,618 45th of 681
Median Income $66,725 average
Poverty Rate 10.3% 18% lower than national
Median Home Value $258,600 average

How Salem Changed

Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.

Metric2019–20232020–2024Change
Population25,47725,618+0.6%
Median household income$66,716$66,725+0.0%
Median home value$244,800$258,600+5.6%

How Salem Compares

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 13.7%
$25K-$50K 22.3%
$50K-$100K 30.1%
$100K+ 33.9%
Detailed income brackets
Under $10K
4.5%
$10K-$15K
2.1%
$15K-$20K
3.4%
$20K-$25K
3.7%
$25K-$30K
4.1%
$30K-$35K
4.4%
$35K-$40K
5.5%
$40K-$45K
5.1%
$45K-$50K
3.2%
$50K-$60K
10.3%
$60K-$75K
8.8%
$75K-$100K
11.0%
$100K-$125K
10.0%
$125K-$150K
7.3%
$150K-$200K
8.3%
$200K+
8.3%

Employment

3.6% Unemployment Rate State: 4.3%|National: 5.2%
59.9% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 62.8%
Renter 37.2%
Affordability Index Affordable
3.9x home value to income ratio
Median gross rent $1,133/mo 20.4% of median household income annually

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

32out of 100
Low Diversity

A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.

State average: 61 | National average: 61

Education

Salem Rankings in Virginia

#45 Population of 681
#330 Median Income of 585
#276 Education of 680
#309 Home Value of 580

Explore Virginia Rankings

Cities by Population All cities ranked by size Richest Cities Ranked by median income Most Educated By bachelor's degree rate Most Affordable By housing affordability

Cities Similar to Salem

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Staunton25,948$65,581$259,20037.7%12.4%
Winchester27,913$63,974$343,00031.3%21.5%
Cave Spring25,742$87,539$325,80048.8%5.9%
Waynesboro22,841$59,994$245,50025.7%11.2%
Christiansburg22,720$77,147$252,60044.7%11.7%

Population Overview

Salem is a mid-sized community located in Virginia. The total population is 25,618. It ranks as the 45th most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.

Age Demographics

The median age in Salem is 40.0 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Salem is $66,725. This is 28% lower than the state median of $93,170. It is also 17% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.3%. This is 4% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 3.6%. This is 15% lower than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $258,600. Housing costs are 33% lower than the state median of $383,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x. 62.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% lower than the state average of 67.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Salem is White (non-Hispanic), making up 81.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 8.6%. The Black or African American population (8.6%) is well below the state average of 18.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (4.8%) is well below the state average of 11.0%. The Asian population (2.0%) is well below the state average of 6.9%.

Education

33.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 22% lower than the state rate of 42.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 94.2%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Salem, Virginia is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Virginia state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 681 Census-designated places in Virginia. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Salem, Virginia?

Salem, Virginia has a population of 25,618 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Salem, VA?

The median household income in Salem is $66,725, which is 17% lower than the national median of $80,734.

What is the poverty rate in Salem, VA?

The poverty rate in Salem is 10.3%. This means approximately 2,391 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Salem, Virginia?

Salem's population is 81.6% White, 8.6% Black, 4.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.0% Asian.

What is the median home value in Salem, VA?

The median home value in Salem is $258,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x.

How educated is Salem, Virginia?

33.1% of adults (25+) in Salem hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.